If any means if there are any at all: few, if any, volunteers had used it, so very few, maybe none. It often follows few and little: little, if any, time. In questions and requests it leaves room for zero: list the materials, if any, that you need.
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few / little, if any, ...; noun, if any, ...; what / which ..., if any, ...?
- The new route saves little, if any, time.
- Please list the extra materials, if any, that you need.
- Which parts of the guide, if any, were unclear?
What changed
First versionFew, if anything, volunteers had used the software before.
RevisionFew, if any, volunteers had used the software before.
If any and if anything sound nearly the same, and the longer one seems more complete. But the sentence is about the number of volunteers, and any refers back to them: few, if any, volunteers. If anything is a different phrase that corrects an opinion.
If anything means if there's any difference, it's the other way: the test wasn't easier; if anything, it was harder. If any is about a quantity that might be zero: few, if any, mistakes. One answers how many, the other answers which way.
Your turn
We are not sure that any extra cost exists: What additional cost, if ___, is involved?
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any — Any refers to additional cost and allows that there may be none at all. Anything is a separate word for something and doesn't give that meaning.
Ask about possible extra costs or requirements without assuming they exist. Use if any.
What documents, if any, should I bring to the first meeting?
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